International Baccalaureate Visual Arts

Length/Credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit

Grade(s): 11, 12

This course places creative exploration and art-making at its heart, empowering students to engage with ideas, transform their perspectives, and emerge as reflective artists and active contributors to their communities. Structured around three interconnected areas—Create, Connect, and Communicate—students develop key skills in creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through dynamic, non-linear learning experiences.

At both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), students undertake personal artistic inquiries, building portfolios that showcase their conceptual growth and technical expertise. They delve into the cultural and contextual dimensions of art-making, researching its impact and drawing meaningful connections between their work and that of other artists.

The course culminates in a cohesive body of resolved artworks, accompanied by visual and written reflections that celebrate each student’s artistic journey and evolving practice.

The assessment tasks for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) are closely aligned, with SL featuring a slightly reduced workload to reflect the shorter time frame. At Harriton, SL is offered as a one-year course, while HL spans two years, providing extended opportunities for deeper exploration and artistic development. All students enrolled in this class are required to complete the International Baccalaureate assessments.

Length/Credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit

Grade(s): 11, 12

This course places creative exploration and art-making at its heart, empowering students to engage with ideas, transform their perspectives, and emerge as reflective artists and active contributors to their communities. Structured around three interconnected areas—Create, Connect, and Communicate—students develop key skills in creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through dynamic, non-linear learning experiences.

At both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), students undertake personal artistic inquiries, building portfolios that showcase their conceptual growth and technical expertise. They delve into the cultural and contextual dimensions of art-making, researching its impact and drawing meaningful connections between their work and that of other artists.

The course culminates in a cohesive body of resolved artworks, accompanied by visual and written reflections that celebrate each student’s artistic journey and evolving practice.

The assessment tasks for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) are closely aligned, with SL featuring a slightly reduced workload to reflect the shorter time frame. At Harriton, SL is offered as a one-year course, while HL spans two years, providing extended opportunities for deeper exploration and artistic development.

This course is also suitable for advanced art students looking to build a portfolio for admission to art school or other higher education programs with an art focus. Non-IB students may take Part 1; however, scheduling Part 2 is not guaranteed. All students enrolled in this class are required to complete the International Baccalaureate assessments.

Length/Credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit

Grade(s): 12

This course places creative exploration and art-making at its heart, empowering students to engage with ideas, transform their perspectives, and emerge as reflective artists and active contributors to their communities. Structured around three interconnected areas—Create, Connect, and Communicate—students develop key skills in creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through dynamic, non-linear learning experiences.

At both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), students undertake personal artistic inquiries, building portfolios that showcase their conceptual growth and technical expertise. They delve into the cultural and contextual dimensions of art-making, researching its impact and drawing meaningful connections between their work and that of other artists.

The course culminates in a cohesive body of resolved artworks, accompanied by visual and written reflections that celebrate each student’s artistic journey and evolving practice.

The assessment tasks for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) are closely aligned, with SL featuring a slightly reduced workload to reflect the shorter time frame. At Harriton, SL is offered as a one-year course, while HL spans two years, providing extended opportunities for deeper exploration and artistic development.

This course is also suitable for advanced art students looking to build a portfolio for admission to art school or other higher education programs with an art focus. Non-IB students may take Part 1; however, scheduling Part 2 is not guaranteed. All students enrolled in this class are required to complete the International Baccalaureate assessments.